Plea for a greener festive season

Old Christmas trees can be used for mulch in parks

People in Leicester are being urged to reduce the festive season's impact on the environment.

Leicester City Council's waste management team is giving tips on how to enjoy a truly green Christmas.

Advice given includes recycling the Christmas tree, taking old Christmas cards to paper banks and using rechargeable batteries.

Householders are also being urged to use kerbside recycling schemes and visit recycling centres.

After the festive season is over, real Christmas trees can be taken to Freemens Common and Bridge Road recycling centres where they will be shredded and used as mulch on parks.

Environnemental impact

Old Christmas cards be put in paper banks around Leicester or recycled via collections held at shops or supermarkets.

Local recycling centres are open daily except on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

A council spokesman said: "Christmas is a great time to enjoy yourself but we would ask people to consider what happens afterwards.

"It doesn't take much to reduce the environmental impact of the festive season and help boost recycling."